Chapter 3-6 - Morlyn
The next day, having travelled east for a couple of hours, Ryoko motioned for everyone to stop. In front, a cluster of trees had grown together, forming an knotted wall of foliage across the path. To the left, thick red tendrils ran across between the trees, from the canopy almost down to the jungle floor. To the right, the trees seemed to form a natural archway. On either side, delicate flowers with wispy white feathery tendrils cascaded from the branches like silvery waterfalls. Aetilius motioned towards the clear route but Ryoko shook her head. These white flowers were Feather Fern, she explained, a carnivorous plant native to Quan. To demonstrate her point she moved her hand close to the silvery tendrils. As she drew close, the tendrils quivered and began to move towards her hand, blindly seeking her out. Ryoko dropped her hand before the tendrils could reach her. She explained that if the tendrils touched a creature they would inject a powerful paralysing toxin and burrow into the creature's flesh. Once inside they would secrete a strong acid which would break down the creature's body from within. To illustrate her point, she poked her staff into the foliage around the base of the plants, and pulled out a small pile of animal bones. Ryoko led the party off through the thick red vines on the other side of the path.
Progress was slow as they pushed through the thick foliage, but Ryoko gradually curved them back towards the river and soon they found themselves back on the trail. Soon the party could hear the rush of the river, and just caught sight of light sparkling on the surface of the water through the trees ahead. Ryoko led them down to the river bank. Ramas tried to cut through the trees straight to the bank, but as he pushed aside some branches obstructing the way, he heard a hiss and felt something move against to his hand. A thick green snake was coiled around the branch, camouflaged against the leaves. It turned it's head and fixed Ramas with lidless yellow eyes. Ramas let go of the branch and slowly backed away. The snake coiled itself languidly back around the branch, and Ramas let out a sigh of relief; then followed the rest of the party onto a small sandy beach beside the river. As the party cleared the trees, the sudden smell was overwhelming. An acrid odour which burned the nostrils hung in the air. In the middle of the beach, sat see three large pits, surrounded by wooden platforms. Wooden walkways connect the platforms, and lead uphill to a wooden shack mounted on stilts. From the smell, this must be a tannery. As dirt path wound up the hill beside the shack, and Ryoko set off at a brisk pace up along this trail.
Ryoko led the party through the outskirts of Kylydn. Wooden shacks stood in small clusters in clearings in the jungle, each connected by well worn dirt paths. Most of the clusters were arranged around communal fire pits. Larger shacks or tents, likely workshops, were interspersed with smaller constructions, probably dwellings. Dragonborn scurried about between buildings performing errands, or sat on stools around the firepits, talking and drinking. A few of them acknowledged the party's approach, but recognising Ryoko they waved in greeting to her and paid them little heed.
Ryoko eventually led the party through the jungle to a lone wooden shack, raised a few feet off the ground on wooden stilts. A thick thatched roof of interwoven leafy fronds overhung the edges of the walls. Ryoko hopped up the steps to the door and knocked rapidly. The door swung open to reveal an old, silver Dragonborn dressed in a simple grey robe, with cloudy blue eyes. He turned his head towards Ryoko, and fixed her with a sightless gaze,
"Ryoko, my child. You have returned. Come in. And bring your friends"
Morlyn motioned to the rest of the party, surprisingly accurately for a blind man.
Morlyn led the party into his house, motioning them to sit down. The building was comfortable inside, a good sized wooden table sat in the middle of the room, and thick fabric cushions scattered on the floor around it offered a place to sit. In the far wall, a fireplace was set into a rough clay chimney, and over the fire hung an iron pot bubbling with a mysterious liquid. Morlyn took Ryoko's face in his hands and raised it to look at him,
"I see your journeys have wrought great changes in you. As it should be. Your powers have grown. I also see you have been given a gift..." He said, rapping his knuckles on the Warden's Heart hanging around Ryoko's neck,
"That is an ancient magic which hasn't been abroad in the world in many centuries. I wonder what Reidoth is anticipating"
Morlyn looked around at the rest of the party,
"What brings you all here?"
Ryoko explained that Aetilius had been seeing visions of a mountain of fire on a plain of obsidian, and they believed it was an instruction from Xanith. They were trying to find the source of the vision, and Ryoko thought it sounded like the tales Morlyn used to tell her of the Sea of Glass. Morlyn nodded in agreement,
"That certainly sounds like the Dragonspire Volcano. I believe you are on the right track. But journeying through the Sea of Glass is no mean feat. Many of your ancestors died attempting the journey here from Iskaleth. I would suggest speaking to Nevarrym, the Clan Leader. He should be able to advise them how best to proceed. I'll arrange a meeting with him for you."
Morlyn looked at the party again,
"Please make yourselves at home. Is it ok if I borrow Ryoko for a short while?"
He took Ryoko's hand and led her to the door,
"Come - it is time you finished your training"
Morlyn led Ryoko out into the jungle. After a few minutes of walking he motioned her to stop. He closed his eyes and gestured around at the silent trees,
"Close your eyes - feel the flow of the mythal as the energy passes through you and swirls around you. Tell me Ryoko, what can you see?"
Ryoko closed her eyes as well, and focused her senses inward, feeling the warmth of her own lifeforce burning in her chest. She slowly expanded her sense, becoming aware of the flow of life energy around her. She could sense insects crawling through the undergrowth, and up in a nearby tree a small bird sat, watching the two druids curiously.
"Perfect" Morlyn said, raising his hand.
The little bird fluttered down and gently lighted on his outstretched palm. With a single finger, Morlyn gently stroked the bird, lifting it to his mouth and whispering to it. For a brief moment the bird stood motionless, staring directly into the old dragonborn's cloudy blue eyes. Then it suddenly shivered and looked around, before hopping up onto the old Dragonborn's shoulder.
"Your turn" Morlyn whispered quietly to Ryoko. She reached out slowly towards the bird, one finger extended. After a moment's hesitation, it swooped over and perched just above her knuckle. Ryoko looked into the little creature's eye, and reached out with her mythal senses. She observed the low of life energy through the bird, tracing esoteric symbols and runes as it moved. She quickly memorized this sequence of shapes. This was the core of the Druid gifts, the ability to read and understand the hidden languages of nature. Once she had learned the swallow's essence, she released the little bird. It looked at her confused for a moment, then flew back up to it's perch in the tree above.
"Come now. I need to show you someplace important" Morlyn's figure blurred, his flesh flowing as he transformed into a tiny silver banded swallow. With a leap, he spread his wings and spiralled upward into the air. Ryoko shrugged, then recalling the sequence of symbols she had learned from the swallow, she also shifted into the little bird's shape and flew up into the sky after Morlyn.
The two druids soared up above the jungle canopy, flying north a short distance to a mossy crag which jutted through the canopy like an island in a sea of green. Morlyn landed on the rocky surface and shifted back to his Iskathi form. When Ryoko joined him, he gestured to a single weatherbeaten slab of granite protruding from the top of the crag like a lone, jagged tooth. The two druids walked over to the standing stone, and Ryoko looked it over curiously. The slab was around eight foot tall, and four foot wide. It had a smooth circular hole carved into it's centre, roughly at shoulder height on the big Dragonborn. She estimated the hole was around four inches in diameter, although it was hard to be certain as dark green moss obscured the edges.
"Place your hand inside the hole" Morlyn said solemnly, "Concentrate and feel the flow of the mythal around you"
Tentatively, Ryoko pushed her hand through the hole in the stone and closed her eyes to help her feel the shifting flow of the mythal. She could feel the energy around her begin to flow in towards the hole, like water through a crack in a jug. She could feel a warmth begin to creep up her arm,
"Keep your hand still." Morlyn cautioned her, "This is the final step in your training. You must receive your mark. This will not be comfortable, but it must be a sacrifice made voluntarily"
The gentle warmth began to build around Ryoko's hand, becoming uncomfortable. As the heat continued to build, Ryoko could feel the back of her hand burning, and began to panic. She looked at Morlyn in confusion, who smiled gently at her. Suddenly excruciating pain shot along the back of her hand, up to her shoulder, and the acrid smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils. Blessed unconsciousness washed over her, and as the cool darkness enveloped her, she heard a reassuring feminine voice,
"Fear not my child"
When Ryoko came to, she found Morlyn crouched over her, gently holding a poultice on her hand while he quietly muttered a healing incantation. A cool sensation flowed out from the blind Dragonborn's hand, relaxing her body and easing the pain to a dull ache.
"Welcome to the order of the Gatekeepers, Ryoko" he said softly. Morlyn gently pried the poultice off her hand, revealing a symbol burned into the skin. The shape of a tiger's paw, claws extended. Blue energy flickered along the lines of the burn,
"This is a manifestation of your spirit animal. You will be able to call upon this spirit in times of need" Morlyn explained, then stood abruptly and offered Ryoko his hand.
"Now I have one more thing to show you" he said, as he pulled her to her feet,
"Put your hand back into the hole. Don't worry. It won't hurt this time"
Hesitantly, Ryoko slipped her hand back through the hole in the stone,
"Focus on the flow of mythal. Feel yourself drawn along it. Let yourself go, swept up in the current"
Ryoko focused on the flow of the mythal energy through the hole, and as she did so she could feel herself becoming lightheaded. Then a wrenching motion, and she staggered forwards. She reacted instinctively and caught herself on the side of the stone.
Ryoko opened her eyes to find herself standing on a small grassy hill in the middle of a huge forest clearing. The circle was illuminated by a shaft of green tinged sunlight that pierced the forest canopy above, tiny white blossoms drifted down around her like silken snowfall. Around her lay a circle of standing stones similar to the one she had just been holding in Quan. In the middle of the circle, stood a massive mossy monolith, roughly twice the size of the other stones.
Ryoko heard a faint rush of air and Morlyn appeared beside her in a flurry of blue light. He landed nimbly on the balls of his feet, and looked up at her,
"How do you feel? The first jaunt can sometimes be rough"
Ryoko still felt lightheaded, and her balance was off slightly. She sat down heavily and looked up at her mentor,
"What just happened?"
"These stones are Wayshrines, and we have then located all over Lanath. Single stones, like the one in Quan, connect to a circle like this one. We're just north of Triboar at the moment. And the big stone in the centre of this circle, there one like that in each of the five other circles. They all link back to a master circle on the Isle of Mists, the home of our order. Using this network, we are able to travel all across Lanath in moments."
Ryoko blinked slowly at him. Morlyn just smiled,
"Now, there's somebody who wants to meet you..." he said mysteriously, then walked to the large stone in the centre of the circle. He placed his hand on the mossy surface of the monolith, and disappeared with a rush of air.
This time, Ryoko knew what to expect and she was able to keep her balance when she reappeared, landing nimbly on the ground. She found herself in the middle of a lush, verdant valley. Thick trees grew up around another ring of standing stones. Tendrils of ivy coiled up the trunks of the trees, running along the branches and spiralling around the monoliths. Flowers bloomed along the length of the ivy, and hundreds of sparkling multicoloured blossoms stood out against the grey surface of the stones. Knee deep grass whispered around Ryoko's feet, tiny wildflowers peeking out from between the blades. Morlyn beckoned her over to a narrow gap in the valley wall, heavily overgrown and partially obscured by a thick tangle of vines,
"This way."
Ryoko pushed aside the curtain of vines and made her way through into a large wooded clearing. The canopy overhead was thick, and the sunlight streaming through the branches formed green tinged shafts which sparkled in the air. In the middle of the clearing a tall, slender creature crouched on top of a narrow trees stump. It's skin appeared rough and bark-like, and it's hands seemed to almost blend into the wood. It turned toward the Iskathi. Or so she assumed. It's face was featureless, but two large horns curved up from either side of it's head, and two massive leaf-like ears protruded below them. Ryoko used these to gauge where she felt it's face should be. As it looked at her, Ryoko heard a familiar gentle voice in her mind,
"Ryoko, my child, I have waited a long time to meet you. Morlyn and Reidoth have told me much about you. I am Adrym."
The creature unfolded itself from the top of the stump with eerie fluidity and grace. It seemed to almost glide across the ground towards her. Now that it was closer, Ryoko realised that it stood well over nine feet tall. It reached out a massive hand, and gently cupped Ryoko's chin, raising the Iskathi's face up to hers. Strangely, Ryoko didn't feel afraid,
"You have a difficult path ahead of you." Adrym continued, "Dark times are upon us, and you and your companions have been chosen by fate to play a pivotal role in coming events. The burdens will be great, but there is great strength and great potential in you. Greater than you realise."
Adrym let go of Ryoko's face, gently taking her hand and leading her through the trees,
"Come. Walk with me. Tell me child, what would you ask of me?"
Ryoko followed her. After a moment's quiet consideration, she decided to ask the obvious question,
"Who are you?"
Ryoko could almost sense a wry smile from the featureless creature,
"I am the founder of the druid order. Thousands of years ago, I gathered a small group of mortals, those who had impressed me with acts of kindness or bravery, and in taught them the ways of magic. How to sense and manipulate the mythal, the mystical energy which flows through the world. This group has grown in number and in knowledge, but together we are a bulwark which protects Lanath from those beyond the edges of our world who would do us harm."
"Can you tell me anything else about what is coming?"
"I can't clearly sense what is approaching, I can only feel darkness clawing at the edges seeking to enter.
This is tied to the troubling re-emergence of the Nethonris. Their plans, whatever they are, place the whole world at grave risk. You and your companions must thwart them. These are unprecedented times.
Now that Xanith is awake, things move rapidly towards a final confrontation. It falls on you and your allies to ensure we are ready."
Ryoko tried to digest this information. She was sure Clootie and Aetilius would help her make sense of it later,
"Is there anything you can do to help us?"
"You must return to your friends, even now, forces are moving in the world. But before your leave, I offer you two gifts. The first is this" Adrym handed Ryoko an intricately woven band of wooden twigs. As Ryoko touched it, the band opens up slightly larger than her fist.
"Put it on" Adrym advised gently. As Ryoko placed it on her forearm, the band knit back together, closing tightly on her arm. A tingling sensation passed up her arm, then quickly dissipated.
"This is the Archdruids Bracer." Adrym explained, "It will allow you greater control over your wildshape abilities, once you learn to master it.
The second gift I give you is a promise. As you walk the path laid before you, there will be times you will require aid. Remember that you have the full support of the order. If you ever need out help, you need only ask. Come, you will need to return to your friends. There is much to do and time grows short"
Adrym led her back to the curtain of vines. Just before she passed through the vines, the huge creature enveloped Ryoko in a tender hug,
"Good luck"
Ryoko passed through the vines and rejoined Morlyn at the master circle. He smiled at her,
"Are you ok?"
"I think so" Ryoko said, distracted,
"Come then. Let's get you back"
As Ryoko reappeared beside the stone outside Kylydn, she noticed Morlyn standing very still, with his head cocked to the side. He beckoned her over, cautioning her to be quiet,
"I may have one final lesson for you..." he whispered, pointing ahead. Peering through the trees, Ryoko noticed a dark shape gliding gracefully across the path ahead. As the shadow moved towards them, Ryoko suddenly saw two piercing blue eyes fix on hers. She felt Morlyn step back,
"Remember, this creature has a right to live and it belongs here. We are the trespassers here. Try not to hurt her"
With a keening roar, and a sharp crack like a breaking twig, a cloud of black smoke slipped through the treeline towards Ryoko. She dropped into a fighting stance, and in an instant it was upon her. The cloud coalesced into the form of a massive black tiger, an Urkhan Vhar, landing on her chest and knocking her to the ground. It brought its mighty jaws down on her shoulder. The pain was intense as it's teeth dug into her flesh, although they were unable to pierce the stonelike texture of her skin.
Ryoko closed her eyes, feeling the flow of the mythal through herself and the creature. She reached out and used her magic to soothe and dominate the creature. Abruptly, the Urkhan Vhar released her, stepping back and staring at her,
"Excellent!" Morlyn exclaimed in joy, "Now reach out with your senses, you should be able to see the flow of mythal through her"
Ryoko reached out with her senses and saw the pattern of symbols etched in the mythal as it passed through the creature,
"See the pattern? Fix that in your mind. Perfect. Now, stand up and release her. Back away slowly"
The Urkhan Vhar looked at Ryoko with confused but trusting blue eyes. Then, with a shake of it's head, it turned and stalked back into the jungle.
"Wonderful. Well - lets be getting back shall we?"
Back in Morlyn's shack, Ramas, Clootie and Miaug were sitting on soft cushions on the floor around the table. Badger was curled up on the floor between Clootie and Miaug, enjoying the attention both girls were lavishing on him. Aetilius was pacing next to the door. Suddenly, the door burst inward in a cloud of black smoke. The smoke coalesced into a huge dark grey tiger form, which landed on the tiefling, pinning him to the floor. Aetilius reached out his hand and materialised his mythal axe in his hand. The Urkhan Vhar stepped back, then it's body began to twist and warp. A moment later, Ryoko stood grinning at him. Morlyn walked past her, shaking his head, and made his way to the hearth,
"Who wants some broth?"
Next: Chapter 3-7 - An Audience with Nevarrym
Previous: Chapter 3-5 - Welcome to the Jungle
Progress was slow as they pushed through the thick foliage, but Ryoko gradually curved them back towards the river and soon they found themselves back on the trail. Soon the party could hear the rush of the river, and just caught sight of light sparkling on the surface of the water through the trees ahead. Ryoko led them down to the river bank. Ramas tried to cut through the trees straight to the bank, but as he pushed aside some branches obstructing the way, he heard a hiss and felt something move against to his hand. A thick green snake was coiled around the branch, camouflaged against the leaves. It turned it's head and fixed Ramas with lidless yellow eyes. Ramas let go of the branch and slowly backed away. The snake coiled itself languidly back around the branch, and Ramas let out a sigh of relief; then followed the rest of the party onto a small sandy beach beside the river. As the party cleared the trees, the sudden smell was overwhelming. An acrid odour which burned the nostrils hung in the air. In the middle of the beach, sat see three large pits, surrounded by wooden platforms. Wooden walkways connect the platforms, and lead uphill to a wooden shack mounted on stilts. From the smell, this must be a tannery. As dirt path wound up the hill beside the shack, and Ryoko set off at a brisk pace up along this trail.
Ryoko led the party through the outskirts of Kylydn. Wooden shacks stood in small clusters in clearings in the jungle, each connected by well worn dirt paths. Most of the clusters were arranged around communal fire pits. Larger shacks or tents, likely workshops, were interspersed with smaller constructions, probably dwellings. Dragonborn scurried about between buildings performing errands, or sat on stools around the firepits, talking and drinking. A few of them acknowledged the party's approach, but recognising Ryoko they waved in greeting to her and paid them little heed.
Ryoko eventually led the party through the jungle to a lone wooden shack, raised a few feet off the ground on wooden stilts. A thick thatched roof of interwoven leafy fronds overhung the edges of the walls. Ryoko hopped up the steps to the door and knocked rapidly. The door swung open to reveal an old, silver Dragonborn dressed in a simple grey robe, with cloudy blue eyes. He turned his head towards Ryoko, and fixed her with a sightless gaze,
"Ryoko, my child. You have returned. Come in. And bring your friends"
Morlyn motioned to the rest of the party, surprisingly accurately for a blind man.
Morlyn led the party into his house, motioning them to sit down. The building was comfortable inside, a good sized wooden table sat in the middle of the room, and thick fabric cushions scattered on the floor around it offered a place to sit. In the far wall, a fireplace was set into a rough clay chimney, and over the fire hung an iron pot bubbling with a mysterious liquid. Morlyn took Ryoko's face in his hands and raised it to look at him,
"I see your journeys have wrought great changes in you. As it should be. Your powers have grown. I also see you have been given a gift..." He said, rapping his knuckles on the Warden's Heart hanging around Ryoko's neck,
"That is an ancient magic which hasn't been abroad in the world in many centuries. I wonder what Reidoth is anticipating"
Morlyn looked around at the rest of the party,
"What brings you all here?"
Ryoko explained that Aetilius had been seeing visions of a mountain of fire on a plain of obsidian, and they believed it was an instruction from Xanith. They were trying to find the source of the vision, and Ryoko thought it sounded like the tales Morlyn used to tell her of the Sea of Glass. Morlyn nodded in agreement,
"That certainly sounds like the Dragonspire Volcano. I believe you are on the right track. But journeying through the Sea of Glass is no mean feat. Many of your ancestors died attempting the journey here from Iskaleth. I would suggest speaking to Nevarrym, the Clan Leader. He should be able to advise them how best to proceed. I'll arrange a meeting with him for you."
Morlyn looked at the party again,
"Please make yourselves at home. Is it ok if I borrow Ryoko for a short while?"
He took Ryoko's hand and led her to the door,
"Come - it is time you finished your training"
Morlyn led Ryoko out into the jungle. After a few minutes of walking he motioned her to stop. He closed his eyes and gestured around at the silent trees,
"Close your eyes - feel the flow of the mythal as the energy passes through you and swirls around you. Tell me Ryoko, what can you see?"
Ryoko closed her eyes as well, and focused her senses inward, feeling the warmth of her own lifeforce burning in her chest. She slowly expanded her sense, becoming aware of the flow of life energy around her. She could sense insects crawling through the undergrowth, and up in a nearby tree a small bird sat, watching the two druids curiously.
"Perfect" Morlyn said, raising his hand.
The little bird fluttered down and gently lighted on his outstretched palm. With a single finger, Morlyn gently stroked the bird, lifting it to his mouth and whispering to it. For a brief moment the bird stood motionless, staring directly into the old dragonborn's cloudy blue eyes. Then it suddenly shivered and looked around, before hopping up onto the old Dragonborn's shoulder.
"Your turn" Morlyn whispered quietly to Ryoko. She reached out slowly towards the bird, one finger extended. After a moment's hesitation, it swooped over and perched just above her knuckle. Ryoko looked into the little creature's eye, and reached out with her mythal senses. She observed the low of life energy through the bird, tracing esoteric symbols and runes as it moved. She quickly memorized this sequence of shapes. This was the core of the Druid gifts, the ability to read and understand the hidden languages of nature. Once she had learned the swallow's essence, she released the little bird. It looked at her confused for a moment, then flew back up to it's perch in the tree above.
"Come now. I need to show you someplace important" Morlyn's figure blurred, his flesh flowing as he transformed into a tiny silver banded swallow. With a leap, he spread his wings and spiralled upward into the air. Ryoko shrugged, then recalling the sequence of symbols she had learned from the swallow, she also shifted into the little bird's shape and flew up into the sky after Morlyn.
The two druids soared up above the jungle canopy, flying north a short distance to a mossy crag which jutted through the canopy like an island in a sea of green. Morlyn landed on the rocky surface and shifted back to his Iskathi form. When Ryoko joined him, he gestured to a single weatherbeaten slab of granite protruding from the top of the crag like a lone, jagged tooth. The two druids walked over to the standing stone, and Ryoko looked it over curiously. The slab was around eight foot tall, and four foot wide. It had a smooth circular hole carved into it's centre, roughly at shoulder height on the big Dragonborn. She estimated the hole was around four inches in diameter, although it was hard to be certain as dark green moss obscured the edges.
"Place your hand inside the hole" Morlyn said solemnly, "Concentrate and feel the flow of the mythal around you"
Tentatively, Ryoko pushed her hand through the hole in the stone and closed her eyes to help her feel the shifting flow of the mythal. She could feel the energy around her begin to flow in towards the hole, like water through a crack in a jug. She could feel a warmth begin to creep up her arm,
"Keep your hand still." Morlyn cautioned her, "This is the final step in your training. You must receive your mark. This will not be comfortable, but it must be a sacrifice made voluntarily"
The gentle warmth began to build around Ryoko's hand, becoming uncomfortable. As the heat continued to build, Ryoko could feel the back of her hand burning, and began to panic. She looked at Morlyn in confusion, who smiled gently at her. Suddenly excruciating pain shot along the back of her hand, up to her shoulder, and the acrid smell of burning flesh filled her nostrils. Blessed unconsciousness washed over her, and as the cool darkness enveloped her, she heard a reassuring feminine voice,
"Fear not my child"
When Ryoko came to, she found Morlyn crouched over her, gently holding a poultice on her hand while he quietly muttered a healing incantation. A cool sensation flowed out from the blind Dragonborn's hand, relaxing her body and easing the pain to a dull ache.
"Welcome to the order of the Gatekeepers, Ryoko" he said softly. Morlyn gently pried the poultice off her hand, revealing a symbol burned into the skin. The shape of a tiger's paw, claws extended. Blue energy flickered along the lines of the burn,
"This is a manifestation of your spirit animal. You will be able to call upon this spirit in times of need" Morlyn explained, then stood abruptly and offered Ryoko his hand.
"Now I have one more thing to show you" he said, as he pulled her to her feet,
"Put your hand back into the hole. Don't worry. It won't hurt this time"
Hesitantly, Ryoko slipped her hand back through the hole in the stone,
"Focus on the flow of mythal. Feel yourself drawn along it. Let yourself go, swept up in the current"
Ryoko focused on the flow of the mythal energy through the hole, and as she did so she could feel herself becoming lightheaded. Then a wrenching motion, and she staggered forwards. She reacted instinctively and caught herself on the side of the stone.
Ryoko opened her eyes to find herself standing on a small grassy hill in the middle of a huge forest clearing. The circle was illuminated by a shaft of green tinged sunlight that pierced the forest canopy above, tiny white blossoms drifted down around her like silken snowfall. Around her lay a circle of standing stones similar to the one she had just been holding in Quan. In the middle of the circle, stood a massive mossy monolith, roughly twice the size of the other stones.
Ryoko heard a faint rush of air and Morlyn appeared beside her in a flurry of blue light. He landed nimbly on the balls of his feet, and looked up at her,
"How do you feel? The first jaunt can sometimes be rough"
Ryoko still felt lightheaded, and her balance was off slightly. She sat down heavily and looked up at her mentor,
"What just happened?"
"These stones are Wayshrines, and we have then located all over Lanath. Single stones, like the one in Quan, connect to a circle like this one. We're just north of Triboar at the moment. And the big stone in the centre of this circle, there one like that in each of the five other circles. They all link back to a master circle on the Isle of Mists, the home of our order. Using this network, we are able to travel all across Lanath in moments."
Ryoko blinked slowly at him. Morlyn just smiled,
"Now, there's somebody who wants to meet you..." he said mysteriously, then walked to the large stone in the centre of the circle. He placed his hand on the mossy surface of the monolith, and disappeared with a rush of air.
This time, Ryoko knew what to expect and she was able to keep her balance when she reappeared, landing nimbly on the ground. She found herself in the middle of a lush, verdant valley. Thick trees grew up around another ring of standing stones. Tendrils of ivy coiled up the trunks of the trees, running along the branches and spiralling around the monoliths. Flowers bloomed along the length of the ivy, and hundreds of sparkling multicoloured blossoms stood out against the grey surface of the stones. Knee deep grass whispered around Ryoko's feet, tiny wildflowers peeking out from between the blades. Morlyn beckoned her over to a narrow gap in the valley wall, heavily overgrown and partially obscured by a thick tangle of vines,
"This way."
Ryoko pushed aside the curtain of vines and made her way through into a large wooded clearing. The canopy overhead was thick, and the sunlight streaming through the branches formed green tinged shafts which sparkled in the air. In the middle of the clearing a tall, slender creature crouched on top of a narrow trees stump. It's skin appeared rough and bark-like, and it's hands seemed to almost blend into the wood. It turned toward the Iskathi. Or so she assumed. It's face was featureless, but two large horns curved up from either side of it's head, and two massive leaf-like ears protruded below them. Ryoko used these to gauge where she felt it's face should be. As it looked at her, Ryoko heard a familiar gentle voice in her mind,
"Ryoko, my child, I have waited a long time to meet you. Morlyn and Reidoth have told me much about you. I am Adrym."
The creature unfolded itself from the top of the stump with eerie fluidity and grace. It seemed to almost glide across the ground towards her. Now that it was closer, Ryoko realised that it stood well over nine feet tall. It reached out a massive hand, and gently cupped Ryoko's chin, raising the Iskathi's face up to hers. Strangely, Ryoko didn't feel afraid,
"You have a difficult path ahead of you." Adrym continued, "Dark times are upon us, and you and your companions have been chosen by fate to play a pivotal role in coming events. The burdens will be great, but there is great strength and great potential in you. Greater than you realise."
Adrym let go of Ryoko's face, gently taking her hand and leading her through the trees,
"Come. Walk with me. Tell me child, what would you ask of me?"
Ryoko followed her. After a moment's quiet consideration, she decided to ask the obvious question,
"Who are you?"
Ryoko could almost sense a wry smile from the featureless creature,
"I am the founder of the druid order. Thousands of years ago, I gathered a small group of mortals, those who had impressed me with acts of kindness or bravery, and in taught them the ways of magic. How to sense and manipulate the mythal, the mystical energy which flows through the world. This group has grown in number and in knowledge, but together we are a bulwark which protects Lanath from those beyond the edges of our world who would do us harm."
"Can you tell me anything else about what is coming?"
"I can't clearly sense what is approaching, I can only feel darkness clawing at the edges seeking to enter.
This is tied to the troubling re-emergence of the Nethonris. Their plans, whatever they are, place the whole world at grave risk. You and your companions must thwart them. These are unprecedented times.
Now that Xanith is awake, things move rapidly towards a final confrontation. It falls on you and your allies to ensure we are ready."
Ryoko tried to digest this information. She was sure Clootie and Aetilius would help her make sense of it later,
"Is there anything you can do to help us?"
"You must return to your friends, even now, forces are moving in the world. But before your leave, I offer you two gifts. The first is this" Adrym handed Ryoko an intricately woven band of wooden twigs. As Ryoko touched it, the band opens up slightly larger than her fist.
"Put it on" Adrym advised gently. As Ryoko placed it on her forearm, the band knit back together, closing tightly on her arm. A tingling sensation passed up her arm, then quickly dissipated.
"This is the Archdruids Bracer." Adrym explained, "It will allow you greater control over your wildshape abilities, once you learn to master it.
The second gift I give you is a promise. As you walk the path laid before you, there will be times you will require aid. Remember that you have the full support of the order. If you ever need out help, you need only ask. Come, you will need to return to your friends. There is much to do and time grows short"
Adrym led her back to the curtain of vines. Just before she passed through the vines, the huge creature enveloped Ryoko in a tender hug,
"Good luck"
Ryoko passed through the vines and rejoined Morlyn at the master circle. He smiled at her,
"Are you ok?"
"I think so" Ryoko said, distracted,
"Come then. Let's get you back"
As Ryoko reappeared beside the stone outside Kylydn, she noticed Morlyn standing very still, with his head cocked to the side. He beckoned her over, cautioning her to be quiet,
"I may have one final lesson for you..." he whispered, pointing ahead. Peering through the trees, Ryoko noticed a dark shape gliding gracefully across the path ahead. As the shadow moved towards them, Ryoko suddenly saw two piercing blue eyes fix on hers. She felt Morlyn step back,
"Remember, this creature has a right to live and it belongs here. We are the trespassers here. Try not to hurt her"
With a keening roar, and a sharp crack like a breaking twig, a cloud of black smoke slipped through the treeline towards Ryoko. She dropped into a fighting stance, and in an instant it was upon her. The cloud coalesced into the form of a massive black tiger, an Urkhan Vhar, landing on her chest and knocking her to the ground. It brought its mighty jaws down on her shoulder. The pain was intense as it's teeth dug into her flesh, although they were unable to pierce the stonelike texture of her skin.
Ryoko closed her eyes, feeling the flow of the mythal through herself and the creature. She reached out and used her magic to soothe and dominate the creature. Abruptly, the Urkhan Vhar released her, stepping back and staring at her,
"Excellent!" Morlyn exclaimed in joy, "Now reach out with your senses, you should be able to see the flow of mythal through her"
Ryoko reached out with her senses and saw the pattern of symbols etched in the mythal as it passed through the creature,
"See the pattern? Fix that in your mind. Perfect. Now, stand up and release her. Back away slowly"
The Urkhan Vhar looked at Ryoko with confused but trusting blue eyes. Then, with a shake of it's head, it turned and stalked back into the jungle.
"Wonderful. Well - lets be getting back shall we?"
Back in Morlyn's shack, Ramas, Clootie and Miaug were sitting on soft cushions on the floor around the table. Badger was curled up on the floor between Clootie and Miaug, enjoying the attention both girls were lavishing on him. Aetilius was pacing next to the door. Suddenly, the door burst inward in a cloud of black smoke. The smoke coalesced into a huge dark grey tiger form, which landed on the tiefling, pinning him to the floor. Aetilius reached out his hand and materialised his mythal axe in his hand. The Urkhan Vhar stepped back, then it's body began to twist and warp. A moment later, Ryoko stood grinning at him. Morlyn walked past her, shaking his head, and made his way to the hearth,
"Who wants some broth?"
Next: Chapter 3-7 - An Audience with Nevarrym
Previous: Chapter 3-5 - Welcome to the Jungle
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